Former basketball star Daud Suleman joins Sulom race
Silver Strikers shadow official and IT guru Daud Suleman has joined the March 14 Super League of Malawi (Sulom) race gunning for the vice-presidency.
He promises to empower teams through introducing initiatives such as Mpira Sacco, medical schemes and branding.
Suleman, who has on several occasions contested for Silver general secretary post, on Thursday unveiled his manifesto built around themes of brand value positioning, sponsorship value increase, welfare improvement and enhancing commercialisation.
“The football brand in Malawi is undervalued due to a number of challenges that currently exist in the game. I shall endeavour to champion the following initiatives, through vibrant commercial and marketing departments of Sulom, to improve the value of the football brand which shall result in a trickledown effect to stakeholders in terms of value and reward,” Suleman said.
He also promised to increase football coverage through digital marketing, broadcasting and websites.
“Within the next three years, Sulom shall see to it that TV content around Malawi league football is produced and packaged in DVDs that can be distributed across the country to further expose the game.
“We shall also produce and package club related content for TV consumption to help clubs draw supporters closer to their brands,” he said.
Suleman also promises to improve players’ welfare through negotiating for increase in league championship prize currently pegged at K9 million to K40 million, a minimum of K200 000 per game for Man of the Match awards, introduction of credit and savings tools such as Mpira Sacco, medical cover and insurance and vocational training.
“There is need to urgently revisit the value proposition that the league is currently enjoying from its sole sponsor. With the depreciating economy and other market forces, time is ripe to closely scrutinise the value proposition obtained by either party in the current sponsorship arrangement,” he adds.
Suleman, a basketball player and official, also promises to phase out any free entries at games to maximise revenue.
He also promises cash payments at all levels, enhancing refereeing quality and establishing stadiums at district levels so that countryside teams such as Mafco should, for example, be playing home games in Salima.
Silver general secretary Mike Tembo, who is eyeing the Sulom GS position, confirmed nominating Suleman, saying he has always been associated with the team in several capacities.
Sulom’s statement on the elections advised aspirants to deposit their nomination forms at Sulom secretariat in Blantyre between February 14 and February 28 2015.
Positions up for grabs are for president, vice-president, general secretary, vice- general secretary, legal adviser and treasurer.
Executive members will pay K30 000 nomination fees (non-refundable) with K50 000 for the rest. Nominees must have five years of football experience.
Presidential candidates are Daud Mtanthiko and incumbent Innocent Bottoman with general secretary Williams Banda and treasurer Tiya Somba Banda also set to defend their seats. Vice-president Dan Kuwali is not seeking re-election.
Legal adviser Felix Tambulasi and vice-general secretary Thoko Chazema are yet to declare interest. Current executive committee members are Aggrey Khonje, Gift Mkandawire, Charles Manyungwa, Gibson Mkanda, Lieutenant David Gondwe and Kazizwa Banda.
